NASCAR and Michael Jordan’s Team Reach Settlement Ending Federal Antitrust Trial
Charlotte, Thursday, 11 December 2025.
NASCAR and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing reached a settlement ending their federal antitrust trial today. The historic agreement reportedly secures permanent team charters, fundamentally reshaping the business of professional motorsports.
The Settlement Details
The resolution arrived on Thursday, December 11, 2025, marking the ninth day of proceedings in a Charlotte, North Carolina courtroom [1][3]. Following an hour-long sidebar, Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, signaled the breakthrough by informing the court clerk, “we’re ready,” before leading Michael Jordan and other team owners into private discussions [3]. Jordan, who attended the trial in person, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating simply, “Today’s a good day” [3]. The settlement concludes a legal battle that began on October 2, 2024, ending 14 months of litigation that threatened to upend the sport’s commercial model [4].
Securing Permanence
While specific financial terms remain undisclosed, the agreement reportedly designates 23XI Racing as the “winner,” granting the team the permanent charters that served as the central point of contention [1]. Previously, the governing body had refused to offer permanence, citing the need for flexibility in a changing market [4]. This settlement allows the teams, which raced as “open” entries for the majority of the 2025 season, to reintegrate into the charter system that guarantees entry into every Cup Series race [1][3].
The Struggle for Permanence
The conflict originated from the expiration of the original 2016 charter agreements at the end of 2024 [1]. In September 2024, NASCAR presented teams with a 112-page final offer for the 2025-2031 period, which included a seven-year option through 2038 but lacked the permanent status sought by team owners [3][4]. While 13 of the 15 organizations signed the agreement—some testifying they felt “like you have a gun to your head”—23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused, alleging monopolistic behavior [1][3].
Testimony and Tensions
The settlement followed intense testimony, including appearances by NASCAR Chairman Jim France on December 9 and 10, 2025 [1][4]. France, whose family trust controls 54% of the company, maintained that he could not commit to permanent charters because he did not “have a sightline to the future” [2][4]. The proceedings also exposed internal rifts, with evidence introduced showing NASCAR executives using disparaging language regarding team owners in private communications [4].